Spinal fusion surgery fuses faulty areas of your vertebrae together, helping to provide strength and stability. Following surgery, your physician will recommend activity and therapeutic exercises in order to strengthen the back following surgery, according to Spine Universe. Because surgery may cause you to lose some back strength, do these exercises slowly in order to avoid injury or pain.
Bridging
This exercise, recommended by the Spine Health website, helps to promote flexibility while strengthening the lower back. Begin by lying on your back with a pillow underneath your head and upper shoulders. Place your palms down on the floor, and use your legs and lower back to lift your pelvis up. This creates a bridge with your body where your body is in a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Slowly lower to the ground to return to your starting position. Repeat three to five times, working your way up to 15 repetitions as you strengthen your back.
Upper Body Extension
This exercise is performed while lying on your stomach. Place a pillow underneath your pelvis and stomach to provide support for your back. Place your arms behind your back or on the floor to provide added support. Take a deep breath in, then exhale to lift your body up. Lift only as far as you can comfortably go --- avoid straining the back. Slowly lower the body back to your starting position. Repeat five times, working up to 10 to 12 times as your back grows stronger.
Cat and Camel
This exercise from the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma is performed on all fours. Slowly lift your back up to create a C-shaped or "cat" curve with the back. Next, pull your back down to create a reverse C-curve with the back. Your lower back should initiate the exercise. Repeat five to eight times. Stop performing the exercise if it causes pain.
Hip Extension
This exercise uses leg extension to strengthen the back. Begin on all fours with your back straight and your head looking toward the ground. Slowly lift your knee in toward your torso, then extend the leg out and the head up. The leg should be aligned with the back and head, creating one straight line. Pull the leg in to return to your starting position. Repeat by alternating legs, but stop the exercise if it causes pain.
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